The Great Migration - Document Analysis Graphic Organizer
Essential Question (EQ): Analyze the short and long term effects of the Great Migration on the African American population. Determine if the movement was primarily positive or negative.
Directions: With a partner (or individually) fill in the following graphic organizer based on the Essential Question. You are NOT actually writing an essay, just organizing the pieces as if you were going to write it.
To earn a "C" grade, you must complete a minimum of 2 POINTS and 2 pieces of EVIDENCE/EXPLAIN for each point.
To earn a "B" or "A" grade, you must complete 3 POINTS and 3 pieces of EVIDENCE/EXPLAIN for each point.
Introduction WITH an analytical Thesis Statement.
Thesis Statement: The Great Migration had both short and long term effects on the African American population, and its overall impact was primarily positive.
Point 1: Economic Opportunities
- Many African Americans migrated to northern cities in search of better job opportunities and higher wages.
- Cities like Chicago and Detroit experienced significant growth due to the influx of African American workers.
- This led to the development of a growing black middle class and increased economic prosperity for the African American population.
Evidence/Explain 1:
- According to historical records, between 1916 and 1970, approximately 6 million African Americans moved from the rural South to urban areas in the North and West.
- These migrants were drawn by the chance to escape the low wages and harsh conditions of sharecropping and seek higher-paying industrial jobs in cities.
Evidence/Explain 2:
- The migration of African Americans contributed to the development of urban economies.
- Industrial cities like Chicago and Detroit experienced an increase in manufacturing jobs, and African Americans played a crucial role in filling these positions.
Evidence/Explain 3:
- The migration allowed African Americans to break free from the cycle of poverty and discrimination in the South, leading to increased economic opportunities and upward mobility.
Point 2: Social and Cultural Impacts
- The Great Migration brought African Americans into contact with different cultures and social movements in northern cities.
- This exposure to new ideas and experiences empowered the African American population and fueled the Civil Rights Movement.
- The migration also contributed to the growth of African American arts, literature, and music during the Harlem Renaissance.
Evidence/Explain 1:
- The migration led to the formation of vibrant African American communities in cities like New York, Chicago, and Philadelphia.
- These communities cultivated a sense of solidarity and provided a support system for African Americans facing discrimination and prejudice.
Evidence/Explain 2:
- The Harlem Renaissance, a cultural and intellectual movement of the 1920s and 1930s, was a direct result of the Great Migration.
- African American artists, writers, and musicians found a platform in these urban centers to showcase their talents and express their experiences.
Evidence/Explain 3:
- The migration contributed to the growth of African American political and social activists, who fought for equal rights and an end to segregation.
- Figures like Marcus Garvey and W.E.B. Du Bois emerged during this period and laid the groundwork for the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s.
Conclusion:
- The Great Migration had a lasting impact on the African American population, leading to increased economic opportunities, social empowerment, and cultural advancements.
- While there were challenges and obstacles faced by migrants, the overall impact of the movement was primarily positive and provided a foundation for future progress.
Can you give me third point
Point 3: Political Advancements
- The Great Migration played a crucial role in advancing African American political power and representation.
- The increased concentration of African Americans in urban areas allowed for the formation of black political organizations and the election of African American officials.
- These political advancements paved the way for future civil rights legislation and reforms.
Evidence/Explain 1:
- The migration led to the formation of influential organizations such as the National Urban League and the NAACP, which advocated for the rights and interests of African Americans.
- These organizations provided resources, support, and legal assistance to African Americans facing discrimination and helped to challenge racial injustice.
Evidence/Explain 2:
- African Americans who migrated to northern cities were able to exercise their voting rights more freely compared to the South, where voter suppression tactics were rampant.
- The concentration of African American voters in urban areas allowed for the election of African American officials at the local, state, and national levels.
Evidence/Explain 3:
- The increased political power of African Americans resulting from the Great Migration played a significant role in the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
- The movements and successes of African Americans during the Great Migration laid the foundation for the broader Civil Rights Movement in the mid-20th century.
Overall, the Great Migration had a positive impact on the African American population in terms of economic opportunities, social and cultural advancements, and political advancements, leading to greater equality and justice for African Americans.
Thesis Statement: The Great Migration had both short and long term effects on the African American population, with a mixture of positive and negative outcomes.
Point 1: Economic Opportunities
Evidence/Explanation:
1. Many African Americans migrated to northern cities in search of better job opportunities and higher wages.
2. The industrialization of northern cities provided employment opportunities in factories and industries.
3. African Americans were able to escape the limited job opportunities and low wages in the rural South.
Point 2: Racial Prejudice and Discrimination
Evidence/Explanation:
1. African Americans faced racial discrimination and prejudice in the North as well.
2. Residential segregation and discrimination in housing led to the formation of racially segregated neighborhoods, limiting access to better living conditions and resources.
3. Despite some progress, racial tensions and inequalities persisted in areas such as education and healthcare.
Point 3: Cultural and Social Transformation
Evidence/Explanation:
1. The Great Migration led to the dissemination and influence of African American culture, including music, literature, and art.
2. Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s showcased the creativity and resilience of African Americans.
3. The migration fostered a sense of unity, pride, and community among African Americans as they faced similar challenges and experiences.
Conclusion:
Reiterate the thesis statement and summarize the main points mentioned in the body paragraphs. Discuss the overall impact of the Great Migration on the African American population and provide a judgment on whether the movement was primarily positive or negative.
To earn a "C" grade on the Great Migration document analysis graphic organizer, you need to have a minimum of 2 points and 2 pieces of evidence/explanation for each point. To earn a "B" or "A" grade, you need to complete 3 points and 3 pieces of evidence/explanation for each point.
To begin, your introduction should start with an analytical thesis statement that lays out your argument on whether the Great Migration had primarily positive or negative effects on the African American population.
Here's an example of an introduction with an analytical thesis statement:
Introduction:
The Great Migration refers to the mass movement of African Americans from the rural South to the urban North and West between 1916 and 1970. This significant demographic shift in American history had both short and long-term effects on the African American population. Through an analysis of these effects, it becomes evident that the Great Migration had predominantly positive consequences for African Americans. This essay will explore the improvements in economic opportunities, enhanced educational prospects, and increased political empowerment that resulted from the migration.
In this introduction, the thesis statement clearly states that the Great Migration had predominantly positive consequences for African Americans. It sets up the main points (economic opportunities, educational prospects, and political empowerment) that will be further explored and supported in the body paragraphs.